B.C. Wildfires 2021

Spallumcheen on Stepping Stones Crescent in August 2021. That’s directly across Okanagan lake to the OKIB Reservation. (Paul Anderson/Contributed to Black Press Media)

PHOTOS: 825,000 hectares have burned as wildfires rage across B.C.’s Interior

‘It doesn’t solve the problem, but it helps’ said one official about the latest bit of rain

Spallumcheen on Stepping Stones Crescent in August 2021. That’s directly across Okanagan lake to the OKIB Reservation. (Paul Anderson/Contributed to Black Press Media)
Jason Satterthwaite and his 16-year-old son, Aiden, fought on the frontlines of the White Rock Lake wildfire together for the Okanagan Indian Band Fire Department. (Jason Satterthwaite - Facebook)

Father, son battle White Rock Lake wildfire for Okanagan Indian Band

‘He is the bravest young man I know,’ former North Westside fire chief says of 16-year-old son

Jason Satterthwaite and his 16-year-old son, Aiden, fought on the frontlines of the White Rock Lake wildfire together for the Okanagan Indian Band Fire Department. (Jason Satterthwaite - Facebook)
Highway 5 at Othello, about 11 km east of Hope. (DriveBC)

Coquihalla reopens to essential travel only, no stopping

Highway 5 is now open after wildfires forced a closure on Sunday

Highway 5 at Othello, about 11 km east of Hope. (DriveBC)
The remains of a large structure and vehicles destroyed by the Lytton Creek wildfire are seen on the side of the Trans-Canada Highway near Lytton, B.C., on Aug. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Cooler conditions offer fractional relief to crews battling nearly 300 B.C. wildfires

Travel complicated by fire closure of the Coquihalla Highway, mudslide severing Highway 1

The remains of a large structure and vehicles destroyed by the Lytton Creek wildfire are seen on the side of the Trans-Canada Highway near Lytton, B.C., on Aug. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The Trozzo Creek fire as seen from Lemon Creek. Photo: Joel Pelletier

UPDATED: Evacuation alert rescinded for Trozzo Creek fire

The Slocan Valley wildfire remains active

The Trozzo Creek fire as seen from Lemon Creek. Photo: Joel Pelletier
Map of Spences Bridge Highway 1 closure on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (Drive BC map)

Mudslide shuts off Hwy 1 through Fraser Canyon as Coquihalla still closed due to wildfire

This leaves one route for any travellers: Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton

Map of Spences Bridge Highway 1 closure on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021. (Drive BC map)
The White Rock Lake wildfire has come down to Westside Road near Vernon, as pictured Monday, Aug. 16. (Contributed)

Some Interior Health long-term care homes proactively relocated due to wildfires

Families are being contacted directly and provided details of their loved one’s temporary location

The White Rock Lake wildfire has come down to Westside Road near Vernon, as pictured Monday, Aug. 16. (Contributed)
Coquihalla Highway as seen on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. The Highway 5 route was closed Sunday due to the July Lake wildfire burning on both sides of the main artery. (Drive BC photo)

Tourists should not travel to Okanagan as region up in flames: Public Safety Minister

‘If you are planning to travel through these fire-affected areas, it’s time to change your plans’

Coquihalla Highway as seen on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2021. The Highway 5 route was closed Sunday due to the July Lake wildfire burning on both sides of the main artery. (Drive BC photo)
The Nk’Mip Wildfire (pictured burning near Osoyoos late last month) is now burning over 17,000 hectares in the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen. Photo courtesy of the BC Wildfire Service

Winds push Nk’Mip fire nearer to Mount Baldy

Some full-time residents were allowed back home Thursday, Aug. 12

The Nk’Mip Wildfire (pictured burning near Osoyoos late last month) is now burning over 17,000 hectares in the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen. Photo courtesy of the BC Wildfire Service
A man looks towards the White Rock Lake fire from downtown Kelowna on Aug. 15, 2021. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)

Conditions at Okanagan’s Mount Law, White Rock Lake fires remain volatile

A detailed damage assessment will be done when it is safe to do so, say wildfire officials

A man looks towards the White Rock Lake fire from downtown Kelowna on Aug. 15, 2021. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
David Dudeck shares this striking photo of amber skies overhead in Trail on Sunday. Middle left is a wildfire service plane, part of the fleet fighting the Bear Creek fire. Photo: David Dudeck

Update: Evacuation alert rescinded for wildfire burning near Trail

BC and local wildfire crews responded to a wildfire started Sunday afternoon on Bear Creek Rd.

David Dudeck shares this striking photo of amber skies overhead in Trail on Sunday. Middle left is a wildfire service plane, part of the fleet fighting the Bear Creek fire. Photo: David Dudeck
July Mountain wildfire off Coquihalla, Sunday Aug. 15. (Contributed/Andy Levang)

Wildfires force thousands to evacuate, highways to close across B.C. Interior

Multiple highways are closed and several communities are evacuating due to fires

July Mountain wildfire off Coquihalla, Sunday Aug. 15. (Contributed/Andy Levang)
Smoke from a controlled burn in a portion of the Lytton Creek fire east of Spences Bridge on Aug. 3. (Photo credit: Dwayne Rourke)

Lytton Creek fire prompts evacuation for thousands in Lower Nicola

Highway closures due to wildfires complicating evacuation from hundreds of addresses

Smoke from a controlled burn in a portion of the Lytton Creek fire east of Spences Bridge on Aug. 3. (Photo credit: Dwayne Rourke)
A photo of the Coquihalla, approximately 20 minutes south of Merritt on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 15. (Katelyn Paradis/Facebook)

Wildfire closes Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt

Highways 1 and 3 are alternate routes

A photo of the Coquihalla, approximately 20 minutes south of Merritt on the evening of Sunday, Aug. 15. (Katelyn Paradis/Facebook)
A rough map shows the area around Cherry Creek (outlined in dark blue) going on evacuation order. The area north of Highway 1 outlined in turquoise, which includes Tobiano, is remaining on evacuation alert, as is Savona to the west. (Photo credit: BCWS)

Cherry Creek west of Kamloops now on evacuation order due to Tremont Creek wildfire

Savona and Tobiano remain on evacuation alert and Highway 1 is open

A rough map shows the area around Cherry Creek (outlined in dark blue) going on evacuation order. The area north of Highway 1 outlined in turquoise, which includes Tobiano, is remaining on evacuation alert, as is Savona to the west. (Photo credit: BCWS)
Robert Hugh looks through the remains of the home he shared with his partner Michelle Maisonneuve that was destroyed by the White Rock Lake wildfire in Monte Lake, east of Kamloops, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Monte Lake, B.C. resident loses Wayne Gretzky rookie card in wildfire

Robert Hugh even bought what he thought was a fire-proof box for his card

Robert Hugh looks through the remains of the home he shared with his partner Michelle Maisonneuve that was destroyed by the White Rock Lake wildfire in Monte Lake, east of Kamloops, B.C., Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A BC Wildfire Service map shows the perimeter of the Tremont Creek wildfire as of Aug. 14. (Photo credit: BCWS)

Tremont Creek wildfire exhibiting aggressive behaviour, moves closer to Logan Lake

Community of 2,000 is now without power as residents near Mamette Lake go on evacuation alert

A BC Wildfire Service map shows the perimeter of the Tremont Creek wildfire as of Aug. 14. (Photo credit: BCWS)
With increased fire behaviour expected, B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth urged people not to travel to North Okanagan communities over Aug. 13-15 weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Wildfires: Public urged not to travel to North Okanagan communities over weekend

Increased fire activity forecasted, next 72 hours will be critical says ministry

With increased fire behaviour expected, B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth urged people not to travel to North Okanagan communities over Aug. 13-15 weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Jay Schell (left), Wendy Schell (right) and their daughter Karin leave the Chilliwack emergency operations centre on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021. “The people here have been really, really friendly and very helpful,” Wendy said. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

No Logan Lake evacuees have had to sleep in their vehicle: Chilliwack emergency co-ordinator

Wildfire evacuees began arriving in Chilliwack Thursday night following evacuation order

Jay Schell (left), Wendy Schell (right) and their daughter Karin leave the Chilliwack emergency operations centre on Friday, Aug. 13, 2021. “The people here have been really, really friendly and very helpful,” Wendy said. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)
Wildfires on the south arm of Kootenay Lake, with the rescinded evacuation alert shaded in orange. Map: BCWS/Nelson Star

Akokli Creek wildfire evacuation alert lifted

There are no longer any properties under alert in the Cultus, Akokli or Redding fires

Wildfires on the south arm of Kootenay Lake, with the rescinded evacuation alert shaded in orange. Map: BCWS/Nelson Star